B.C. NDP leader David Eby says draft legislation would reduce costs for taxpayers in proposed transfers of Crown land to First Nations, while limiting compensation for forestry firms.
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British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby says draft plans from his previous government to limit compensation for forest companies when Crown land is transferred to First Nations are intended to save money for taxpayers.
Eby’s defence comes after confidential briefing documents were published by an online outlet, Northern Beat. The documents say the government was planning to transfer about 400 parcels of Crown land to First Nations while limiting compensation for companies with timber rights on the land.
The briefing notes, dated Sept. 10, say current law would require the provincial government to compensate forestry firms, but that doing so would create barriers to completing land returns “given ongoing fiscal constraints.”
According to the documents, the draft legislation contemplated compensation limits that could result in some timber-right holders receiving no compensation if less than five per cent of existing logging rights were part of the transferred land.
Eby said the transfers reflect existing treaties and other reconciliation commitments, including some dating back decades. He also said the draft legislation was aimed at reducing costs for taxpayers.
A spokesperson for the Eby campaign said the proposal was a draft and cabinet approved engagement with stakeholders in July, not final legislation. The spokesperson also said forest companies would have needed to sign non-disclosure agreements to see the materials, and Eby rejected suggestions that such agreements indicated secrecy.
The briefing notes were made public days before the provincial election on Oct. 24. The New Democrat platform does not mention the proposed plans, according to the briefing materials’ description.
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